NBA: Miracle Workers

Chapter 823 Tough Guy Sheds Tears (Daily Life Chapter)
On Thursday, May 3, 2012, the NBA playoffs were still ongoing, and TNT, as the broadcaster, couldn't stop its post-game programming. The packed schedule also doubled the workload for the four-person team.

The good news is that TNT's viewership has increased by 4% this season. Although many professional fans dislike the "comparison" segment, the data doesn't lie, and most casual viewers just like simple and straightforward comparisons!

By the time we reached the post-match segment, it was nearly 23 PM. Fortunately, tonight's match was quite "energizing." After summarizing the results, the director presented viewers with a statistic:
"Carmelo Anthony has the worst winning percentage among players who have played at least 50 playoff games in NBA history."

"With a record of 16 wins and 36 losses, a winning percentage of 30.8%, Anthony has mostly been eliminated in the first round."

This data is not actually rigorous, because on the 1st, the New York Times preemptively predicted Anthony's subsequent two losses.

Compared to TNT's relatively mild assessment, New York media outlets have dubbed Anthony "The Joker" and even given him the nickname "Marshmelo."
When it comes to "dredging up old stories," New York media professionals are experts. After in-depth digging, Anthony and Garnett's past statistics and playoff performances were thoroughly examined.

Garnett's beating of a rookie and his poor performance on the court earned him the nickname "Charmin Man," and in short, both of their reputations were completely ruined!

After losing Game 3 tonight, both players missed the post-game press conference. This act of accepting the penalty and avoiding interviews has thoroughly angered the New York media, and many people have started to launch personal attacks on Twitter.

126-76, the Nets, back on their "away" court in New York, finished the game in three quarters amidst cheers from New York fans, losing by another 50 points, with the entire team's defense collapsing.
Looking back at the Nets' history, they didn't lose by this much even during Kidd's era. When Carter was still playing, there were even New York fans who expressed their support.

The title "Black Mamba" is Li You's recognition of his opponent!
The Nets have performed worse since moving to their new location. Despite Li You once again bestowing titles upon Anthony after the game, calling him an "offensive kaleidoscope" and an "undefendable man," New York fans were not buying it.

The reason is simple: after returning to the Barclays Center, Anthony's performance was even worse than in Game 2.

出场39分钟，23中7，三分线外4中1，罚球9中7，以30.4%的命中率砍下22分8篮板1助攻1抢断5失误的拉胯数据。

Such a poor performance made Brooklyn fans too embarrassed to cheer for their team, turning against them during the game and booing them loudly afterward.

After Game 3, there were no Nets fans left. Under Li You's call, local Brooklyn fans returned to the embrace of "winning fans," because only by winning can they feel the joy of sports in New York!

During the TNT program, the director showed some leniency by not airing the footage of Lala arguing with fans after the game. The couple was completely overwhelmed, and tomorrow they will become the new laughingstock of New York.
Charles Barkley predicted Anthony would have a breakout season before the series began, arguing that Marion's physical condition was declining and he wouldn't be able to handle his opponent one-on-one.

Big Mouth guessed half of it, but he didn't expect the Knicks' defense to be so layered. Ibaka has recorded 10 blocks in 3 games and is getting better and better.

"I have to apologize to the Nets fans. Carmelo Anthony is not a qualified leader. Although the series is not over yet, I want to take back all the praise I gave him!"

In the footage, Barkley solemnly pats his chest, readily admitting he was "blind." Seeing this, O'Neal and the others chuckled, with the old Shaq even bringing up old grievances:

“Anthony, like my little brother, is an overrated player. If you look at win shares, he would have a hard time even making the top 30.”

"The data doesn't lie. Inefficient mid-range offense has been abandoned by modern basketball. Seeing the Nets' tactical choices, I knew they were going to lose badly!"

When it comes to Excel, most sports commentators no longer use PER, and offensive and defensive efficiency is outdated. Currently, the only things that are still of reference value are win contribution value and the latest RAPM.

The reason for its rapid development is mainly because Li You has completely outclassed the old data, and a PER of around 35 has become meaningless. Most basketball commentators can no longer praise the efficiency rating.

Kenny Smith knew what Shaq was going to say as soon as he heard him praising the stats, and O'Neal didn't disappoint him, suddenly changing the subject and exclaiming:
"If you can't dominate the paint like I do, then you should look for a change!"

"Lee has shown everyone how to win. Michael Jordan's era is long gone. Young people should learn from the greatest player of all time, and learn everything from Lee!"

"."

The three partners were all tired of hearing it. Almost every episode, O'Neal would brag about himself and the championship, while belittling Kobe and praising Li You.

Even without Stephen A. Smith's blatant boasting, after listening for several months, the three were starting to get fed up. Barkley, in his characteristic argumentative spirit, responded:

"Can the Warriors learn from Li and beat him? The Warriors are trying to emulate the Knicks by building their backcourt duo, and they are reportedly evaluating Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson."

"But honestly, it's completely different. 34-year-old Lee is still unstoppable, and he looks healthier than Curry."

"Teams that try to imitate the Knicks have all failed. Look at the Suns, they couldn't even get past the conference finals."

Warriors general manager Bob Myers recently stated in an interview that Curry and Klay could form a "three-point shooting backcourt duo," a view that most commentators disagree with, and whether they can remain healthy remains an open question.

"The opportunity for young people will come when Lee retires! As long as Lee is still playing, he will be the god of basketball!"

O'Neal glared and retorted loudly, but seeing the topic had veered off course again, Ernie Johnson had no choice but to interrupt the argument quickly, saying:
"3-0, this series looks like it's over. Kenny, how do you think the Nets should adjust for next season? Right now they look like they have a huge gap with their crosstown rivals."

The Nets, Celtics, and 76ers have all had a run of bad luck in recent years, never recovering since Li You entered the league. Kenny Smith also felt there was no solution, and could only shrug helplessly.

"Regarding team building, I agree with Shaq's point of view. Anthony will only be 28 years old at the end of the month, and time is on his side."

"The Nets need to be patient. Garnett can help the team build a great locker room culture, and they should take a longer-term view."

The thought of Carmelo Anthony being 32 by then, after another four years, made Barkley burst out laughing, and he couldn't help but join in the mockery:
"Perhaps Anthony should consider teaming up with his good friend! Three young men have a better chance of winning a championship than he does."

-

On Friday, May 4th, the NBA announced the Most Improved Player (MIP) award for this season:
The Orlando Magic's Ryan Anderson won the award with 23.96% of the vote.

Although most fans don't care much, the Magic, who didn't make the playoffs, have actually been making a lot of moves.

Recently, they have not only contacted Dwight Howard, but also recruited Phil Jackson, trying to bring the old man from KFC into the team's management and turn the Magic into a potential championship team.

The Orlando Magic are currently able to sign two superstars during the offseason, and with their geographical advantage, they seem poised for a resurgence.

The New York team isn't interested in potential opponents at all. Early this morning, a US TV show was already joking about the Nets' impending elimination, and during the interview segment, a member of the New York fan club even cheerfully recommended merchandise.

"Marshmelo, Brooklyn fans should consider buying a T-shirt! It's our carefully designed Sweet & Sara's Marshmelo, it's awesome!"

"."

A niche boutique food store in Queens, New York, has suddenly become a hit with its marshmallow products.

The operator, who is also a member of the New York fan club, distributed free cotton candy after yesterday's game, which boosted sales of his own products.

Most fans don't really care about the details of the game; player matchups and defensive systems are not what people consider. What matters most is whether the game can bring them joy.

The last player to be this "popular" in New York was Allen Iverson; Anthony has essentially inherited his partner's unfinished "career."
There were three games that night. The Heat visited Boston, and influenced by New York, local newspapers were also reporting on the "fun".

Wade was a little unhappy that his good friend had suddenly turned into a clown. This was how Iverson was ruined back then, and it seemed that Anthony was also rushing down the same path.

During an interview after warming up in the afternoon, when an ESPN reporter asked about the "New York civil war," Wade looked serious and took the initiative to speak up for his good friend:
“In the past, every player wanted to play in New York, but that has changed in recent years.”

"It's insane. I don't know why people would attack a player who is trying to win."

"Melo doesn't deserve this kind of slander. It reminds me of Allen Iverson. The basketball environment in New York is becoming distorted. Basketball shouldn't be like this."

With a 2-0 lead in the series, Wade has not been very efficient against Tony Allen's defense, but his team is stronger overall, and the Flash is not worried about tonight's game.

Unlike Wade, James is not a fan of Iverson, and the "Chosen One" has no interest in offending the increasingly influential New York media. He avoided discussing his good friend's performance, simply offering advice with a smile:

"The suspension has affected the physical condition of many players. Messi and Ronaldo will recover. I know how much he loves basketball."

"."

Yahoo Sports believes that Anthony's poor performance is mainly due to his out-of-shape physique. Compared to previous seasons, he does look a bit fatter, which has become a reason for critics to attack him.

James avoided discussing the basketball environment in New York, proactively ending the topic, and when talking about tonight's crucial Game 3, he confidently stated:

"Of course we want to end the series as soon as possible. You know, the team hasn't had much time to practice all season."

"If we can get more rest, we will definitely give it our all!"

Of the three, Bosh was the most low-key. When he saw Anthony being "criticized," he couldn't help but think of his days as the "King of the Dragons" with the Raptors, when his good partner "Spaghetti" almost got jaundice.

When discussing the game, Bosh praised Spoelstra, who had just won the Coach of the Year award a couple of days prior:
"Coach Spoelstra is outstanding. The Heat have a revolutionary tactical system. Rebounding won't be a problem for us. We're confident we can take the series lead tonight!"

"."

After the game started at 19 p.m., the TD Garden Arena gradually became abuzz with excitement. Rondo, who was suspended for the previous game, showed great aggression from the start.

Randy Foye followed the pre-game plan, allowing shots and defending drives, but Rondo, Lopez, and Brandon Bass's pick-and-roll plays were very effective.

After pick-and-rolls, Rondo drives to the basket, scoring multiple baskets and even getting to the free-throw line. In some possessions, he also assists his teammates for easy points.

Coach Rivers on the sidelines gaped in disbelief just before halftime. This was no part of his game plan; Pierce barely received the ball, and Lopez didn't even post up.
At halftime, with the score at 47:56, Rondo threw off his headband, gave the camera a fierce look, and repeatedly pumped his fist in celebration!
Tony Allen excitedly hugged his teammate, his dark face beaming with excitement. Following behind them, Buss shouted loudly to the fans on both sides as they walked towards the players' tunnel:

"This is our home ground! They won't win a game here!"

Pierce rubbed his sprained left big toe. As the team's original leader, seeing this scene was disheartening. Without Garnett, everyone in the locker room had turned against them. After Perkins was traded to the Thunder, Glen Davis also "betrayed" them. Everyone knew that the original leader would be traded sooner or later.

When everyone returned to the locker room, Rivers hadn't even spoken yet, but Rondo was already standing in front of the whiteboard, sketching and writing, outlining a series of tactics, then clapping his hands repeatedly, looking at Tony Allen, and loudly encouraging him:

"Bro, keep this defense. Leave the scoring to me. We need to teach those softies who's on our turf."

Everyone was encouraged. Lopez, who had previously worried about his declining stats, stopped resisting after a series of easy baskets and loudly promised:

"Give me the rebound!"

“Listen, guys, my championship experience tells me that as long as everyone does their job well, we can win the game.”

Rondo gave a loud encouragement, and the player went 7-for-11 in the first half, scoring 22 points. This outstanding performance earned him the trust of everyone, and even rookie Bradley was completely convinced. Championship experience really works!
The Heat also tend to explode in the third quarter, but after the start of the second half, the Celtics, led by Rondo, dominated the boards.

Pierce responded decisively at crucial moments, and Rondo maintained his form, leading the team to withstand the opponent's counterattack.

In the fourth quarter, Rondo went on a shooting spree, hitting consecutive open three-pointers, and the TD Garden were filled with excited shouts.

With an outstanding performance of 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting in a single quarter, Rondo successfully led his team to win a game!
With a score of 99-112, the Heat looked somewhat helpless after the loss, as no one expected their opponent to completely change the rhythm of the game.

Rajon Rondo, who nearly achieved a triple-double with 44 points, 8 rebounds, 10 assists, 3 steals, and 3 turnovers, was covered in sweat. During an interview with ESPN, he responded with a determined look and a loud voice:
"My championship experience tells me that in such crucial games, team leaders must step up!"

"I'm glad I did it. Thanks to my teammates. This was the best game of the season for everyone."

"."

Rondo mentions his championship experience in almost every interview, and Pierce is tired of hearing it. No wonder Garnett puts on boxing gloves; sometimes he wants to throw a few punches himself.

The crucial victory forced Pierce to put on a smile at the post-match press conference, while Rondo kept bragging, making the native leader feel uneasy.

"Pau, James thinks Rondo single-handedly beat the Heat tonight, which reminds him of Lee. What would you like to share with everyone about the team's tactical shift?"

A Fox Sports reporter egged on a question, and Rondo, with a smile, glanced at Pierce. The former leader cursed inwardly but had no choice but to continue forcing a smile and saying polite things.
"After losing two games in a row, we and the coaching staff watched the game footage repeatedly. This is a team victory."

Rondo was still not satisfied with the answer. He thought Pierce had compromised, but now it seems that James Harden still doesn't understand the bigger picture!

Langdo, who considered himself Li You's successor, would occasionally interject with a smile and a joke, but in his heart he had made up his mind:

"We must trade him away!"

-

On Sunday, May 6th, the Knicks had their easiest Game 4 yet. Before the game, the Nets announced that Carmelo Anthony would miss the game due to a groin injury, which put the whole team at ease.

The battle for honor officially began at 19 p.m. Garnett, who was playing with a hand injury, started with frequent jump shots and even backed down his opponent in the low post in some possessions. The veteran was giving it his all!

Wearing a striped suit, Anthony's face was dark, and he always felt that the arena was filled with the smell of cotton candy.

New Yorkers were all wearing "memory" T-shirts, and many were even holding Marshmelo whiteboards, making the Barclays Center especially lively tonight.

DeShawn Stevenson and Marshon Brooks continued to struggle, playing worse at home than away, making this experience feel like a nightmare.
The New York fans in the arena only cheered for the Knicks, and even Jimmy Butler and Nikola Vucevic, who had been booed earlier, received cheers from the crowd.

Butler, relentlessly pursuing and defending, gave Stevenson no chance to break through with the ball. As soon as the opponent placed the ball on the right wing, he immediately slid down and made physical contact.

When the ball returned to the top of the arc, Jordan Farmar was also a little numb. He had a bad feeling right at the start of the second quarter.

"A precise prediction, Sergi blocks again!"

On the ABC commentary desk, Mike Breen loudly praised Ibaka's defense, saying that Garnett passed inside to Humphries, who then completed a one-on-two defense.

Irving grabbed the rebound and sped past Farmar with a quick turn. After crossing half-court, he saw Marshon Brooks returning to defense and accelerated again.

When the two players collided in the paint, Irving used the opportunity to dribble behind his back, twist his body to evade the defender, and came to the lower right side of the basket. With his right hand, he held the ball, twisted his wrist, and the basketball went high off the backboard into the basket!
"Oh!!"

The beautiful goal drew even louder cheers. With his knee bothering him, the rookie got more playing time and his performance so far has lived up to the coaching staff's trust.

Garnett seemed a bit discouraged after just over three minutes in the second quarter. Although the young players lacked experience, they played with more intensity on defense. Butler's offense was not much of a threat, but his help defense was excellent.

After the ball was returned to the perimeter during the offensive possession, Harden could only watch his teammates miss shots and couldn't grab the rebounds either, while Vucevic steadily secured the defensive rebounds.

The veteran, who had given his all, completely collapsed with just over four minutes left in the first half. For four consecutive possessions, Ray Allen used the same tactic: fake screens and then shot from the left and right wings.

After scoring three consecutive baskets, Garnett missed another shot and lost the rebound, looking frustrated as he watched the ball return to Li You's hands.

When Ibaka came to the top of the court to set a screen again, Li You, who had shaken off Mike Bibby, realized that the big delay was gone. He could tell that Harden was in a bad mood, so he decisively stopped at the three-point line and quickly made a jump shot!
Li You smiled after sinking the three-pointer. He first looked at Garnett, then spread his hands to retreat on defense. After returning to his half-court, he put his right hand to his ear, and soon shouts echoed throughout the arena.

"MVP! MVP! MVP!"

The Nets called a timeout, and Garnett, walking toward the bench, felt the noise was even louder than at Madison Square Garden. Experiencing such a scene for the first time, Garnett completely broke down.

Back in his seat, Garnett covered his face with a towel. Hearing the words "softie," "clown," and "Charmin Man" around him, Garnett was so angry that his eyes turned red. This was not the home game he had expected.

Before halftime, an enraged Garnett pulled Ray Allen as he drove to the basket. As the referee blew the whistle, Ben Wallace, who had just entered the game, pushed Garnett to the sidelines.

Markieff Morris and Lance Stephenson also wanted to show off, so they rushed over to surround Harden immediately, shouting at him relentlessly:

"You old dog! What do you want to do!"

"Hey bro, show some respect to the champion."

Protected by his teammates, Garnett, also angrily shouting, pointed at the rookie and yelled:
"You have no right to talk to me! Go ask your father who I am!"

Seeing Ben Wallace about to charge again, Garnett instinctively retreated to the vicinity of the center line and complained loudly in front of the scorer's table. The New York fans who saw this shouted even louder, and the game was forced to be suspended.

Ray Allen stretched his left foot and shook his head at the sight. He had witnessed the basketball environment in New York these past few days and felt quite sorry for his former teammate.

Both teams substituted their reserves early in the second half, and D'Antoni started using the fadeaway jumper again, while only lead assistant coach Mike Malone was still actively directing the rookies.

The rookies put in a lot of effort, after all, it was the playoffs, and although the opponents were easy to defeat, winning the coaching staff's trust was more important.

The Nets' bench grew increasingly quiet. Carmelo Anthony watched his team get "beaten" without expression until the buzzing of engines started, at which point he silently got up and quickly walked to the player tunnel.

With a score of 118-82, all four games ended, and the Knicks set a new NBA record for the largest margin of victory in a single playoff round with a total of 187 points.
The cheers in the arena were unstoppable. As Garnett headed back into the player tunnel, Van Gundy, in the ABC commentary booth, remarked with some sympathy:
"The window for Garnett to win a championship is almost closed as he approaches 36 years old, which is undoubtedly a cruel thing for the veteran."

"Congratulations, Lee! The Knicks have once again demonstrated their absolute dominance!"

"."

During an interview with Doris Burke, Li You also showed a regretful expression when talking about his opponents, and generously forgave Anthony and Garnett for leaving without saying goodbye:

"That's the NBA. I can understand Kevin and Melo's feelings. They are both excellent players, but there can only be one winner."

"New York is an inclusive city with the most loyal fans in the world. As long as you perform well, people will never be stingy with their praise."

"Everything will be alright. Being able to return to the playoffs is already a success for the Nets, who just moved."

Doris Burke nodded repeatedly, then stopped talking about the underwhelming opponents and asked the commentator's question with a smile:

"Li, after this game, your playoff record will reach 233 games, just 4 games away from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's record!"
"On the playoff assists list, we are only a small step away from Magic Johnson's 2346 assists, and we all believe that we will witness a new record being set this year!"

"Having set multiple great records again, how do you feel right now?"

Li You was completely used to the media's "loan" tactics. The New York fans at the stadium started chanting "Lee" again. In such a heated atmosphere, he naturally had to say nice things in front of the cameras:
"Records aren't important to me, but I'm happy that a Knicks player's name is in first place!"

"."

While Lee Yoo was still smiling and posing on the ABC cameras, Garnett, back in the locker room, couldn't contain his emotions and silently shed tears in front of his teammates.

Two records were set in one game, and Garnett, as MVP, completely lost his prestige and was relentlessly humiliated by New York fans. Mike Bibby, who witnessed this scene, felt utterly bored, and the veteran suddenly whispered:

"Guys, sorry, I'm leaving this championship game!"

"."

(End of this chapter)